Force-based input device

Abstract

An input device comprising a base support, having a periphery and a plurality of apertures formed therein to define a circumscribed or circumscribing input pad configured to displace under the applied force; a plurality of isolated beam segments, defined by the plurality of apertures, and operable to receive resultant forces distributed to the isolated beam segments by the displacement of the input pad; at least two sensors, disposed along each isolated beam segment, and configured to measure the forces transmitted from the input pad to the periphery and to output a signal corresponding to the applied force. One or more processing means operable with the plurality of sensors may be utilized to receive the signal and to determine at least one of a location and / or magnitude of the applied force acting on the input pad.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This continuation in-part application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11 / 402,694, filed Apr. 11, 2006, and entitled, “Force-Based Input Device,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 708,867 filed Aug. 16, 2005, entitled “Force-Based Input Device,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 689,731 filed Jun. 10, 2005, entitled “Signal Conditioning in a Force-Based Touch Device,” each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. This continuation in-part application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 875,108, filed Dec. 14, 2006, and entitled, “Force-Based Input Device Utilizing a Modular or Non-Modular Sensing Component,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to input devices, and more particularly to force-based input devices configured sense an appl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention resides in an input device adapted to determine a location and magnitude of an applied force, the input device comprising a base support having a periphery and a plurality of apertures formed therein to define an input pad configured to displace under the applied force; a plurality of isolated beam segments defined by the plurality of apertures and operable to receive resultant forces distributed to the isolated beam segments from the displacement of the input pad caused by the applied force, and to undergo a degree of deflection, the isolated beam segments being adapted to constrain movement of the base support from off-axis forces acting on the base support; and at least one sensor operable with each isolated beam segment to output a signal corresponding to the degree of deflection of the respective isolated beam segments caused by the forces distributed to the isolated beam segments from the input pad, the signal facilitating the determination of a location of the applied force.

[0011]The present invention also resides in an input device adapted to determine a location and magnitude of an applied force, the input device comprising a first structural element supported in a fixed position; a second structural element operable with the first structural element, and dynamically supported to be movable with respect to the first structural element to provide an input pad adapted to displace in response to the applied force; a plurality of sensing components formed and defined by a plurality of apertures and the relationship of the first and second structural elements, the sensing components being adapted to undergo a degree of deflection in response to an applied force acting about the input pad and resultant forces of the applied force being distributed and concentrated in the sensing components, the plurality of sensing components being adapted to constrain movement of the base support from off-axis forces acting on the base support; and at least one sensor operable with each sensing component to output a signal corresponding to the degree of deflection of the respective isolated beam segments caused by the forces distributed to the isolated beam segments from the input pad, the signal facilitating the determination of a location of the applied force.

Problems solved by technology

While providing some useful functional aspects, each of these prior related types of input devices suffer in one or more areas.

Resistive sensors only allow transmission of about 75% of the light from the input pad, thereby preventing their application in detailed graphic applications.

Although inexpensive to manufacture, capacitance-based sensors typically are only capable of detecting large objects as these provide a sufficient capacitance to ground ratio.

In other words, capacitance-based sensors typically are only capable of registering or detecting application of an object having suitable conductive properties, thereby eliminating a wide variety of potential useful applications, such as the ability to detect styli and other similar touch or force application objects.

However, surface acoustic wave-based input devices are incapable of registering or detecting the application of hard and small objects, such as pen tips, and they are usually the most expensive of all the types of input devices.

In addition, their accuracy and functionality is affected by surface contamination, such as water droplets.

Despite their advantages, force-based input devices are typically too large and bulky to be used effectively in many touch screen applications.

Additionally, conventional force-based input devices, as well as most other types of input devices, are capable of registering touch from only one direction, or in other words, on one side of the input pad, thereby limiting the force-based input device to monitor or screen-type applications.

However, these are sensitive to debris, such as dirt, that affect their accuracy.

Images